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Splash of Taste – Vegetarian Recipes

Splash of Taste - Vegetarian Recipes

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Home / Vegetarian

Best lemon pasta

Published October 2, 2021 | Updated November 27, 2022 | By Mandy & Jane

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Light and refreshing with the most intense silky lemon flavor that is so tasty. When we serve guests our lemon pasta, they take one mouthful and say ‘”oh wow, this is amazing” and they’re right. This zesty creamy lemon pasta dish is so good and it’s SO easy to make.

A bowl of freshly made lemon pasta, with a parmesan cheese grater and a fresh lemon.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • It’s super quick to make, 5 minutes prep, and 10 minutes to cook.
  • Lemon pasta is great as a main meal or as a side dish on a buffet.
  • You can use any pasta you have in your store cupboard.
  • We’ve taken the pasta al Limone recipe, a traditional Italian recipe, and put our tasty vegetarian twist on it.
Ingredients for making lemon pasta from scratch, fresh basil, veggie parmesan cheese, heavy cream, lemon, freshly ground black pepper,, kosher salt, red pepper flakes and spaghetti.

What’s the best pasta to use for this dish?

We’ve used spaghetti for this pasta recipe, but you could use pretty much any pasta you like.

The delicate lemon flavor would suit angel hair pasta

Our easy lemon pasta recipe is quick to make, ideal for unexpected guests and the zesty lemon garnish brightens any table!

What are the best lemons to use?

If you really want to do your lemon pasta justice, then the best lemons to use are Italian lemons.

Sorrento lemons and Sicilian lemons are fabulous if you can get your hands on them, they make the most delicious lemon juice and lemon zest.

Failing that, just use any fresh lemons you can find.

Close up of lemon pasta with al dente spaghetti, covered in parmesan cheese.

Do I have to use fresh lemon juice?

Yes, 100% yes.

Fresh ingredients are always the best ingredients.

Our lemon pasta recipe is all about the fresh lemon flavor, you simply can’t get this from a bottle of store-bought lemon juice.

The lemon juice only takes moments to make, so why wouldn’t you?

You also need fresh lemon zest which is another good vital reason to use fresh lemons, just make sure you make you zest your lemons before making your lemon juice!

Is this gluten-free?

It certainly can be, just use gluten-free pasta!

Do I have to use heavy cream?

No, you don’t, you could use the pasta water.

If you still want creamy lemon pasta sauce you could use milk instead of pasta water.

What should I serve this with?

Garlic bread or Italian crusty bread would be perfect.

A Caprese salad or green salad with balsamic vinaigrette would be a light alternative to bread.

If you want a fantastic pre-dinner cocktail to serve with your lemon pasta then try our limoncello spritz or lemon drop martini.

Both of which are made using limoncello which is an Italian liqueur made from lemons from Sorrento, on the Amalfi coast, and is delicious.

A pot of freshly made lemon pasta with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

How do I store lemon pasta?

You can make your lemon pasta ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge and it will keep for up to 3 days.

We think it’s delicious cold, but you could heat it, just put a drop or two of olive oil in the pan, and heat stirring occasionally until it’s at the desired temperature.

Recipe notes and expert tips

  • Want to make lemon pasta even quicker?
    Cook the pasta the night before and store it in the fridge in a Ziploc bag along with a little olive oil to stop it.
  • Out of fresh basil?
    Use fresh parsley instead.
  • Want lemon garlic pasta?
    Mince two cloves of garlic and hey presto, you have lemon garlic pasta!
  • Is your sauce too thick?
    Use some of the pasta cooking liquid to loosen it up, add just a little at a time.
  • Got leftover lemons?
    Try making this delicious lemon pound cake!
A bowl of freshly made lemon pasta, with a parmesan cheese grater and a fresh lemon.

More easy spaghetti recipes for you to enjoy

If you love our lemony pasta, then you should take a look at these tasty recipes!

  • Cacio e pepe
  • Pesto pasta
  • Spaghetti aglio e olio
  • Spaghetti marinara
  • Gigi Hadid pasta

How to make lemon pasta with step-by-step instructions

Making our lemon pasta recipe is simple if you follow our easy instructions.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook it according to package directions, stirring occasionally.

You always want to cook pasta al dente, so it’s cooked but still firm when you bite into it.

Process shots for making lemon pasta recipe add heavy cream, lemon juice and red pepper flakes.

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot or bowl, whisk together lemon juice, heavy cream (double cream), olive oil, red pepper flakes, vegetarian parmesan cheese, and lemon zest.

Process shots for making lemon pasta recipe add olive oil, vegetarian parmesan and lemon zest.

When the pasta is cooked, drain it but keep roughly 55 grams-¼ cup of pasta water.

Return the cooked pasta to the pot and add in your lemon sauce, and, on medium heat, heat the pasta and lemon sauce, stirring constantly.

Process shots for making lemon pasta recipe combine, add al dente spaghetti, toss in creamy lemon pasta sauce and heat on medium heat.

Add a little of the pasta water to the sauce and keep adding a little at a time until you get the pasta sauce to the consistency that you prefer.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve in bowls and garnish with finely grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and fresh basil leaves.

Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, for more tasty inspiration!

Lemon pasta in a bowl.
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BEST LEMON PASTA

Our lemon pasta recipe is light, quick & easy. Make it in 15 minutes. Silky intense lemon flavor that is so delicious. Perfect as a main course or as a side dish on a buffet. Ideal summer pasta dish and suitable for vegetarians.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time15 mins
Servings4
Calories354
Course: Main course
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Mandy Applegate | Splash of Taste
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Utensils

Large pot

Ingredients

  • 10 oz Spaghetti
  • 2 Lemons zest and juice
  • ⅓ cup Double cream (heavy cream)
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil
  • ½ tsp Red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp Vegetarian parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook your pasta according to packet directions, stirring occasionally. You always want to cook pasta al dente, so it's cooked but still firm when you bite into it
    10 oz Spaghetti
    Process shots for making lemon pasta recipe add heavy cream, lemon juice and red pepper flakes.
  • While the pasta is cooking, in a seperate pot or bowl, whisk together lemon juice, heavy cream (double cream), olive oil, red pepper flakes, vegetarian parmesan cheese, and lemon zest
    2 Lemons, ⅓ cup Double cream (heavy cream), 3 tbsp Olive oil, ½ tsp Red pepper flakes, 2 tbsp Vegetarian parmesan cheese
    Process shots for making lemon pasta recipe add olive oil, vegetarian parmesan and lemon zest.
  • When the pasta is cooked, drain it but keep roughly 55 grams-¼ cup of pasta water. Return the cooked pasta to the pot and add in your lemon sauce, and, on medium heat, heat the pasta and lemon sauce, stirring constantly. Add a little of the pasta water to the sauce and keep adding a little at a time until you get the pasta sauce to the consistency that you prefer. Season with salt and pepper to taste
    Salt and pepper
    Process shots for making lemon pasta recipe combine, add al dente spaghetti, toss in creamy lemon pasta sauce and heat on medium heat.
  • Serve in bowls and garnish with finely grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and fresh basil leaves
    Fresh basil leaves

Notes

  • Want to make lemon pasta even quicker?
    Cook the pasta the night before and store it in the fridge in a Ziploc bag along with a little olive oil to stop it sticking together, then just heat it up in the sauce the next day
  • Out of fresh basil?
    Use fresh parsley instead
  • Want lemon garlic pasta?
    Mince two cloves of garlic and hey presto, you have lemon garlic pasta!

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 197IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 2mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

For the step-by-step version of this recipe check out how to make the best lemon pasta ever.

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About Mandy

A vegetarian for over 35 years, Mandy has taught herself to be creative in the kitchen. Traveling extensively, Mandy loves learning and adapting vegetarian recipes from across the world. Read more...

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Cindy says

    October 2, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    5 stars
    This pasta was so bright and refreshing! Definitely will be making this one for company.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      October 2, 2021 at 1:32 pm

      It’s so cheerful, isn’t it! Glad you enjoyed it!

  2. Lynn Polito says

    October 2, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    5 stars
    Yum!! This is a delicious meatless Monday dish!

    Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    October 3, 2021 at 2:54 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE lemon and basil together, and this dish didn’t disappoint! SO much flavor, and easy to make! Loved it!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      October 4, 2021 at 9:42 am

      We’re so pleased you loved it!

  4. Kim says

    October 5, 2021 at 2:13 pm

    5 stars
    This was so fast and easy! The whole family enjoyed it!

    Reply
  5. laura says

    October 5, 2021 at 5:33 pm

    5 stars
    SO FRESH and bright. We all loved this recipe!!

    Reply
  6. Sherry says

    October 5, 2021 at 10:52 pm

    5 stars
    Fresh lemons is a must in this lemony pasta dish!! Your pasta dishes are amazing!

    Reply
  7. Sachiko says

    October 10, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    5 stars
    This was a hit at our weekly pot luck! I am definitely making this again!

    Reply
  8. Jan says

    November 12, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    5 stars
    Well today is Friday, supermarket shop, I need a quick & delicious recipe for dinner after a busy day, so best lemony pasta ticks all the boxes, it’s really tasty.

    Reply
  9. Jenn says

    December 5, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe – it is so bright and fresh and fabulous!

    Reply

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